Posted on 07/01/2026 5:19:22 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
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Good morning! Happy Independence Day, everyone!
Those dogs are lined up for a 4th of July Hot Dog eating contest, LOL!
YUM!
First of all, once Mick started tearing off the decking on the front porch yesterday, he discovered that it's in very bad shape. The foundation is fine, but the pine boards on top are all spongy. SO - he and Beau put their heads together and it was decided that they're going to buy all new composite decking for the front porch and the steps. Yippee!
Of course this means that the work won't get done until October, but that's OK because in a few days I am getting another puppy!
Beau has been wanting one from this particular breeder (we need to keep our future bloodlines fresh) and one finally became available and will be a male, 10 week old Treeing Walker Coon Hound. Can't wait to meet him!
So after about 2 weeks of being puppy free on the porch, we will have a new tenant. I get to name him, but I have to see him first, then consult with our 'approved' Native American dog names list. ;)
Mom and her 'Girl Gang' will be here in a few hours for some lunch and 4th of July shenanigans. Mick has hit the road back to Appleton, but is doing a Menard's run to get more info on the color choices on the decking which will also be my choice.
So, even though construction is delayed until October, and I don't get to have a puppy-free summer, it looks like it's all going to work out in the end, anyhow. Life Is Good.
P.S. NO fireworks on the porch or around the new puppy! Safety FIRST!
We went with a new composite deck and railing about 6 years ago now. Still looks brand new. You will love it. Can be seen on my BBQ ribs pictures.
| Still steaming hot yesterday afternoon but I managed to pull some garlic and some yellow onions. Both need to dry (cure) for 2-4 weeks I've heard. I already tested one of the onions chopped up with a little rice. They're really good. Can't wait to taste test the garlic. They've been in the ground for 8 months and their bigger than I expected. These are all either German White or Music hardneck garlic, I haven't pulled any of the softnecks yet. |  |
A new puppy with no Midnight to complicate things :-) The wait until October for the Composite decking will be worth it, too.
Finished mowing & trimming between 6:30 & 9 this morning. The only part not mowed is the far back field - grass is long & was very wet. Company won’t see that field so I’ll mow it when it’s dry.
We have a deep ditch on one side of the driveway where a pipe goes under the driveway. It’s a total pain to deal with & grows some gnarly stuff like Johnson grass. It has to be cut with a weed eater. Mom’s little Black & Decker doesn’t have enough power to cut gnarly stuff. My EGO can cut it just fine, but it’s heavy (battery). Being weight restricted on my right arm, I had to do all the trimming left arm only & when I came in, that arm was shaking. The gnats came out too - had to go get my new ‘bug’ hat.
As far as the yard/outside is concerned, we’re ready for company. Now we have some vacuuming & dusting to do inside & I need to go grocery shopping. Walmart had a lot if empty shelves Thursday night - no bags of pre-cut slaw, very few hot dog & hamburger rolls (all the ones I wanted were gone). Hopefully, they’ll be restocked by early tomorrow morning. Same thing happened last year - good luck finding a hot dog roll!
Happy 250th Independence Day to all. Real garden time is finally here, too.
Happy 250th Independence Day to all. Real garden time is finally here, too.
Beautiful garlic. I need to pull mine. In Michigan we plant in the fall and harvest the next summer.
This:
https://lemongrassfarms.com/products/trek-insect-repellent-value-packs?variant=45895677051126
I’ve found to be fairly good at repelling gnats and small flies. It’s not 100%, but works better than DEET on these. (DEET, OTOH, I find to be better for repelling ticks, chiggers, and mosquitos, but ineffective for gnats and small flies.)
Menards carries, or at least used to carry, some of the Trek products at a lower price.
The Geranium Oil may be what does the trick. Lemongrass oil only doesn’t seem to repel or confuse much of anything around here.
Oh, and wifey just announced some friends are having a 4th of July party soon, so I gotta get cleaned up. Then being halfway there, and a big display is promised for the 250th celebration, we’ll head to town for that. So far, we have t’storms in the region, but nothing close, yet. :-)
Wifey always takes food to the parties, and has nothing made, so I don’t know what she’s gonna try to whomp up.
June was too cool so I grabbed some pots this week and planted chives, lemon peppers, hot banana peppers and mild jalapenos. My tomato seeds were planted in plastic cups that I grabbed from the trash at last years VBS. They are ready to transplant if I can find a place.
Rescue from a Lowe's sale rack last summer. It was in very bad shape & languished the rest of the year looking like it was deciding between living & dying. This year, it's just beautiful. I like sale rack rescues :-)
Thanks!
July 4th flag cupcakes can be done at the
last minute w/ just a few simple ingredients.
I did notice how nice your decking looks! :)
Nice job! :)
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